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Museum · Tongeren, Limburg
Gallo-Romeins Museum
Archaeology museum named European Museum of the Year in 2011. It tells the region's history from the Neanderthals to the end of the Roman Empire, with Celtic gold, Roman glass and a bust of Julius Caesar.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Gallo-Romeins Museum
The Gallo-Romeins Museum is Tongeren's archaeology museum and one of Belgium's most awarded. The collection began in the 19th century with the city's historical society, and it gained its own museum in Tongeren in 1954. The current building, from the firm of architect Alfredo De Gregorio, was expanded and reopened in 2009. In 2011 it received the European Museum of the Year award, the first given to a Belgian museum.
The permanent exhibition follows the human occupation of the region. It starts with the Neanderthals, moves through hunters and the first farmers, through the peoples of the Iron Age and reaches the Roman town of Atuatuca Tungrorum, which occupies an entire floor. The route ends with the first signs of Christianity.
Among the pieces are a Celtic gold hoard including a necklace, coins of the Eburones, Roman glass, Merovingian jewelry, a Roman dodecahedron and a 1st-century BC marble bust of Julius Caesar. Life-size figures and reconstructions help to understand each period.
The museum is a few steps from the basilica, and the visit pairs well with the Teseum and the Roman wall, which show on site what the museum explains.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
2 to 3 hours.
Best time
In the morning, to start the visit to the town with the historical context. Weekdays outside of Belgian school holidays have fewer groups. Check the museum's opening times before you go.
How to get there
It is on Kielenstraat, behind the basilica, about a 3-minute walk from the Grote Markt and roughly 10 minutes from the station.
Tip
Allow at least two hours: the Roman floor is the richest. The museum usually has activities for children during school holidays.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Gallo-Romeins Museum
How much time should you allow?
2 to 3 hours. The floor dedicated to the Roman city is the most comprehensive and deserves a calm visit.
Is the museum good for children?
Yes. There are life-size figures, reconstructions and, during school holidays, special activities and routes for children.
What is the museum's best-known piece?
The marble bust of Julius Caesar from the 1st century BC and the Celtic gold hoard are among the highlights, alongside the Roman dodecahedron, an object whose function is still debated.
Is the museum close to other sites?
It is located behind the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek and a few steps from the Grote Markt and the statue of Ambiorix.